Grand opening at new hardware store in Gouverneur on Saturday

Friday, October 6, 2017 - 5:32 pm

GOUVERNEUR -- After sitting vacant for a decade, a century-old downtown building is now filled with merchandise.

Small Town Supply, an Ace Hardware store, opened its doors recently at the corner of West Main and Wall streets near the bridge over the Oswegatchie River. A grand opening will be held Saturday, Oct. 7.

Local businessman Clark Porter bought the two-story building and property last year. He also owns Junction Supply, a hardware store on Route 11, DeKalb Junction.

The 15,000-square-foot building previously housed DJ Walters car dealership, which closed in 2007. The building was constructed in 1915 and for decades housed Seaker-Graves, a car dealership.

Porter and his work crews spent the past several months upgrading the building, including installing new floors downstairs and replacing insulation. The original ceiling beams remain and the exterior is being repainted.

On the second floor, the hardwood floors were re-sanded and stained. The second floor offers a large selection of Hallmark cards and gifts, as well as Melissa & Doug wooden toys and Muck boots. Electrical supplies are also upstairs.

Power tools, hand tools, hardware items, plumbing supplies, paint, housewares, garden supplies, outdoor grills and other merchandise are sold on the lower level.

“Mr. Porter is not only revitalizing a vacant property in a high visibility, high-traffic area, he is also creating jobs,” IDA Executive Director Patrick Kelly said.

The parking lot can be accessed off West Main Street for drivers heading south and from Wall Street for drivers traveling north. The store is open seven days a week from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.